A DEFIANT Julia Gillard has warned MPs to pull their heads in and show discipline in a plea for Labor to unite behind her.

The Prime Minister told Labor MPs at a special meeting - which was missed by about 20 members - that internal splits would be a gift for the Opposition and would distract from the Government's messages, the Herald Sun reports.

And at a barbecue for her troops at The Lodge last night, Ms Gillard pulled a surprise by bringing former prime minister Bob Hawke for a pep talk.

Ms Gillard moved to assert her leadership and stare down those pushing for Kevin Rudd to take back the top job, ahead of a return to Parliament tomorrow.

In an interview with Channel 7 last night, Ms Gillard says she makes no apology for being a political leader without a "crusty upper-class accent".

Ms Gillard said there have been challenges associated with being Australia's first female prime minister and that some people have taken a while to accept her in the top job.

The PM said she couldn't change who she was.

"If you want someone with a crusty upper-class accent who went to the most elite private school, well that's not me," Ms Gillard said.

She said despite equal opportunity successes in Australia it was still "different" being a female leader.

"It's a different image of leadership," she said.

"I'm not surprised that it's kind of taking a bit of time for that to settle with the Australian public."

Ms Gillard also rejected claims she should test her leadership of the Labor Party in a party-room showdown.

"I understand that in the political situation the Government finds itself, that people are going to talk about these things," she said.

"But I don't get up in the morning thinking about all of this. I get up in the morning thinking about what I need to do leading this nation today."

Read more at the Herald Sun