By Malcolm Farr, National Political Editor

From: news.com.au December 10, 2011 6:05PM

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard is using the weekend to tell ministers their fate in what is expected to be a substantial reshuffle of her ministry.

And already the reorganization is being seen as a bid to shore up her support against her predecessor, Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd.

The trigger is expected to be the resignation of Small Business Minister Nick Sherry, according to Labor sources. As a senator, his will be replaced through a party nomination and a risky bye-election would not be needed.

Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten is certain to be promoted to cabinet, probably as Workplace Relations Minister.

Sources have told news.com.au that Mr Shorten has been close to Ms Gillard’s discussions on the changes.

The new ministry is expected to be announced Monday or Tuesday.
Most of the elevations will be readily justified on merit, sources have said. Mr Shorten, for example, has impressed since he was given the job of Parliamentary secretary for disabilities.

Another possible promotion could be that of Indigenous Employment Minister Mark Arbib, who has worked solidly and effectively in his port folio over the past year.

And left wingers could benefit. Mental Heath Minister Mark Butler, a prospect for future leadership of the left, is among those being considered for a higher role.

However, the movement of MPs will be seen as a shoring up the ranks of of so-called faceless men who have been credited with helping Ms Gillard dump Mr Rudd in June last year.

About six weeks ago there was an angry reaction from some senior right wing figures disappointed by the decision to have on-shore processing of asylum seekers after the High Court blocked the Malaysian solution, and it became clear Parliament would not change the law to allow that option to proceed.

They would not have supported Mr Rudd in retaliation, but sources today said some fence mending was needed.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen today said allocation of ministries was "entirely a matter for the Prime Minister", and didn't dispute that a reshuffle was close.

"If the Prime Minister wants me to stay in this job, I'll stay in this job," Mr Bowen told reporters.

"If the Prime Minister asks me to do another job, I'll do another job."

Movers and shakers: PM Julia Gillard to reshuffle cabinet to ward off Rudd challenge | News.com.au