PM reshuffles cabinet after resignations Julia Gillard announced the resignations of Nicola Roxon and Chris Evans at a press conference. PRIME Minister Julia Gillard insists she's in control, the timing of two key resignations is her choice and she'll take her reshuffled cabinet to the next election. Ms Gillard bade an emotional farewell on Saturday to Senate leader Chris Evans and Attorney-General Nicola Roxon, who will both quit politics this year. "Two of my most senior and valued colleagues ... are stepping down from their ministerial roles and in the case of Chris Evans from the senate leadership as well," the prime minister told reporters in Canberra. The resignations come three days after Ms Gillard stunned the nation, and many in her party, by setting the election for September 14, an unprecedented eight months out. Ms Gillard brushed aside suggestions her government was in chaos. "Why on earth would anyone say that," she replied. Ms Gillard said she had been talking to both Ms Roxon and Senator Evans for a year about a planned exit for them. "I have always had it in my mind that this was the appropriate time to announce new arrangements as we move back into the parliamentary session," she said. She hopes to take her reshuffled cabinet into the next election but says sometimes personal issues intercede. I can't wish away the real world ... but this is the team I intend to take to the next election. Ms Roxon, who was federal health minister for nearly four years, says she was "torn" by the decision to move to the back bench and quit at the next election, but her life has changed. "When I was elected 15 years ago, I hadn't even met my husband Michael and my daughter Rebecca was a long way from being born," she said. If I run for office again, she'll almost be in high school before I might retire. Ms Roxon thanked Ms Gillard for her strong leadership, telling journalists the prime minister "seems to be made of titanium." "My only regret as health minister is the inordinate amount of time we were too long fixing many of the problems that Mr Abbott left from his time as health minister," she said. Senator Evans said it was time for him to step down and would leave the senate in a few months when a suitable replacement could be found. Immigration Minister Chris Bowen will replace Senator Evans as minister for tertiary education, skills, science and research. He will also pick up small business. Caucus will elect a new senate leader on Monday. MP Mark Dreyfus will replace Ms Roxon as attorney-general and minister for emergency management, giving the role of cabinet secretary to Jason Clare, who retains home affairs and justice. Brendan O'Connor will become minister for immigration and citizenship and Mark Butler will take on Mr O'Connor's housing and homelessness portfolio. Mike Kelly was promoted to the ministry as minister for defence materiel. They will be sworn in on Monday. Earlier this week, former attorney-general Robert McClelland decided not to seek preselection for his Sydney seat of Barton after almost 17 years in federal parliament. Ms Gillard said whether or not that would spark a by-election if he took a job before September was a matter for the Speaker. "Common sense would tell you, and indeed history tells you that when you are close into the normal time for an election, it might well suit the convenience of the people to not be required to go out and vote twice and to have a vote for their electorate at the normal election time," she said.