Sydney (CNN) -- Australia has a female prime minister. Her name is Julia Eileen Gillard. Australia also has a shock jock commercial radio broadcaster and his name is Alan Belford Jones. His dislike of the prime minister is as legendary as his typically adoring, right-wing retiree listeners are loyal. The two have been involved in an almighty collision that is proving commercially and politically disastrous for Jones and a likely polling gift for Gillard. Jones is a former coach of the Australian National Rugby Union team who sought Liberal Party pre-selection in the late 1970s. He is also a determined climate change denier who 13 years ago was investigated over allegations of accepting commercial support from companies in exchange for favorable comment. Despite this, the take-no-prisoner broadcaster remains one of Australia's most popular and highly paid radio announcers.Popular Australian shock jock Alan Jones in clash with Prime MinisterJust days after Gillard's father's death, Jones said he had "died of shame"Advertisers pulling funding from Jones' radio show, online campaign calls for his sackingCommentators say outrage may give Gillard an unexpected boost in the polls
While many commentators believe the _'s decision not to speak with Jones, on or off air, could result in a lift in the polls, others think if her cabinet supporters protest too loudly, the gains will be lost.