Veteran radio host Alan Jones has sparked outrage by telling Young Liberals that Prime Minister Julia Gillard's father "died of shame".
The 2GB breakfast show host was recorded making the remarks in a speech to 100 members of the Sydney University Liberal Club President's dinner, just weeks after the death of John Gillard.
Mr Gillard died at the age of 83 on September 8 after a battle with illness.
"Every person in the caucus of the Labor Party knows that Julia Gillard is a liar," News Limited reported Mr Jones as saying at last Saturday's event at a Sydney restaurant.
"Everybody, I'll come to that in a moment.
"The old man recently died a few weeks ago of shame. To think that he had a daughter who told lies every time she stood for parliament."
Gasps and shocked laughter from members of the audience can be heard on the recording.
Jones also suggested Gillard's tears following her bereavement had led to her enjoying a rise in popularity.
Social media users were quick to react to the controversial comments.
One wrote on Twitter: "Gillard *has* told multiple lies and misled parliament and voters but why not say that? Bringing dead person into it is just tacky."
Others said Mr Jones was "tasteless" and owed Ms Gillard an apology, while there were also calls for him to be sacked.
A Twitter user called Robyn wrote: "You should be ashamed of yourself Alan Jones Julia Gillard is still mourning her fathers death what a cruel thing to say."
Earlier this year Mr Jones was let off the hook about "disparaging" comments he made about Ms Gillard on air.
The broadcaster had been referred to the watchdog in August 2011 for saying that the prime minister should be thrown in the sea "in a chaff bag" with Greens senator Bob Brown and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
Ms Gillard's office and 2GB were not immediately available for comment.
