Chris Evans with Julia Gillard last year. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: News Limited
- Minister and Labor Senate leader will quit
- Roxon to follow, according to claims
- Prime Minister faces reshuffle
THE third most senior member of Julia Gillard's team, Senate leader Chris Evans, will announce his shock resignation as a minister and Attorney-General Nicola Roxon is reportedly about to resign from the cabinet.
According to the The Australian newspaper, Ms Roxon will step down from her portfolio and retire from politics at the September 14 election.
The reports were supported by tweets from Sky News host Peter van Onselen and Seven Network's Mark Riley suggesting Ms Roxon's impending resignation.
"Nicola Roxon to resign from cabinet early tomorrow,'' van Onselen tweeted late on Friday.
Senator Chris Evans with US secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Perth late last year.
In the Senate, the party leader is elected by MPs and traditionally from the party's Left faction. Senator Conroy has been deputy leader for five years but is from the Right faction.
Last night there was a suggestion Senator Wong would support Senator Conroy and become deputy, although some MPs were urging her to run for the top spot. A ballot would be held on Monday, if required.
Senator Evans is Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research. One option being considered by Ms Gillard is giving that post to Immigration Minister Chris Bowen with his nightmare portfolio going to Small Business Minister Brendan O'Connor.
Ms Gillard was still working on the changes last night and is expected to finalise the line up today.
Small Business is tipped to stay in Cabinet and some believe Treasurer Wayne Swan should add that portfolio to his job to elevate the importance of the sector ahead of the election.
Mental Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler may pick up Mr O'Connor's other portfolios of Housing and Homeless.
It is unclear if there will be a new Cabinet minister but there will be a new junior minister. Victorian Mark Dreyfus or Mike Kelly from NSW are among those who could be promoted.
There was no response from Senator Evans' office last night but his WA Senate colleague Mark Bishop confirmed his departure on Twitter.
"Resignation of Chris Evans a loss. Serious, hardworking competent minister. Unassuming, consistent and effective senate leader."
The low-profile Senator Evans has also been minister for industrial relations and as immigration minister dismantled the Pacific Solution, which Ms Gillard was forced to resurrect last year. He has been an MP since 1993.
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