The caucus will elect Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, from the Victorian Right, as the new Senate leader, as senior ministers seek to contain the fallout from the controversial timing of Julia Gillard's ministerial reshuffle.

Finance Minister Penny Wong, from the Left, will become Senate deputy. Human Services Minister Kim Carr, a Kevin Rudd backer and also from the Left, said he would not stand for either position.

''In the current political environment this would not be about the needs of the Senate'', he told The Age, adding that he wanted to thank the ''many well wishers from Victoria and other parts of the country'' who urged him to stand for Senate leader.

Senator Conroy, now the deputy Senate leader, replaces Chris Evans, who with Nicola Roxon stood down from the ministry on Saturday.