Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has been accused of publicly challenging Prime Minister Julia Gillard's leadership by admitting he wasn't told about plans to sell uranium to India.

MS Gillard has appealed to ALP members to support her bid to overturn a ban on uranium exports to the country.

Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop says Mr Rudd should've been consulted as head of foreign affairs .

"The situation is becoming untenable, one of them will have to go. Australia cannot afford to have a civil war going on between the Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister."

But Kevin Rudd has defended the PM's decision.

"No I was not consulted but remember, the Prime Minister has also said very clearly that's she's taking this to the National Conference as her own personal initiative. Under those circumstances it would be unrealistic to be consulted on every matter."