A new Early Learning and Care Centre in Redlynch, Cairns opens its doors for the new school year.

Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall said the construction of the centre at St Andrew's Catholic School at Redlynch was completed at the end of last year.

The centre was built with a Federal Government contribution of $1.8 million and a Bligh Government contribution of $450,000 to establish a dedicated kindergarten program within the centre.

"The centre will provide 75 long day care places including 48 places for kindy-aged children," Mr Wettenhall said.

"Kindy classes start on January 23, and the centre's long day care service will commence the following Monday."

Queensland Catholic Education Commission Executive Director Mike Byrne said the new centre with dedicated kindergarten program at St Andrew's would provide quality education and care for families in the local community.

I am pleased that the Premier has put an end to the speculation and announced the State election will be held on 24 March.

It is totally proper that she has fixed the date so as to give the people of Queensland an opportunity to consider the final report of the Floods Commission of Inquiry.

Until the election campaign formally commences, it will be business as usual for government and I will continue to work hard to represent the people of Barron River.

Parliament will sit as scheduled on the 14th, 15th and 16th of February.

The main state issues will be who is best qualified to lead Queensland over the next three years, as our state enters a period of unprecedented economic activity - Anna Bligh's proven effective leadership against the risk of an untried, untested leader of the LNP who hasn't spent a day in Parliament and who has a poor record as Lord Mayor of Brisbane.

Locally, major differences have already emerged between Labor and the LNP.

Only Labor has in place an economic strategy that is supporting our foundation industries and growing a diversified economy.

Only Labor will deliver the Cairns Entertainment Centre.

Only Labor will maintain tough laws to protect our Great Barrier Reef from pollution.

Only Labor will save our precious and unique Wild Rivers from destructive mining.

The LNP leader says he opposes funding the Entertainment Centre but their candidate for Cairns says the funding will be matched! Now the election date has been set, the LNP must stop having a bob each way on major local issues.

The LNP's major commitment to this region so far is to dredge Trinity Inlet, a reckless and irresponsible promise to make without knowing the environmental impacts, without a business case and without knowing the cost.

Labor said at the last election our main priority would be protecting jobs. And we have delivered.

Our building program has supported jobs and unemployment in Cairns is trending down, employment growth is up and the economy is showing early signs of revival.

Only Labor really believes in Cairns and is confident and optimistic about our future.

Premier Anna Bligh is in Cairns today with more than $2.2 million in additional economic initiatives for the region.

The Premier released the final Cairns Region Economic Future 2012-15 plan following 10 weeks of community and industry consultation.

"In early November we took a draft economic framework to the community and to industry for feedback. We listened to what was important we have delivered.

 "15 new initiatives worth more than $2.2 million have been added to the final plan.

"That takes our investment under the Cairns Economic Future Plan to almost $290 million over the next three years – through projects underway or in the pipeline, including $115 million in reconstruction funding for the areas impacted by Cyclone Yasi.

"The Far North is a major economic powerhouse in Queensland and the next four years offer huge opportunities for this diverse part of the State.

Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall has urged parents to familiarise themselves with the changes to state school holidays that take effect from this year.

"When planning family holidays this year it's important for parents to be aware that some school breaks are at different times and for different durations from previous years," Mr Wettenhall said.