Barron River MP and Parliamentary Secretary assisting the Premier on Economic Development in the Far North has questioned the objectivity of the most recent "Report Card" issued by the Cairns Business Leaders Alliance

"When you compare the scores given to the state government with those given to the LNP, it is obvious that the so called "report card" is not a genuine analysis of polices and performance but a political document"

Staff and students from Smithfield State High School today celebrated the official opening of their new and upgraded, $1.2 million science labs.

Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall said the opening of new facilities was a milestone in the development of Smithfield State High School.

"Smithfield State High has come a long way since it opened in 1983," Mr Wettenhall said.

"These new facilities, funded through the Queensland Government's State Schools of Tomorrow program, will further improve the quality of education afforded to local Smithfield children."

Mr Wettenhall said the first-class science labs would add to the high standard of education provided at Smithfield State High School.

"The school has positioned itself as a high-performing academic school with a close partnership with James Cook University," he said.

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.

Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall has welcomed the delivery of a new operational fire vehicle worth over $100,000 to volunteers of the Kuranda Myola Rural Fire Brigade.

Mr Wettenhall said the new vehicle would enhance operational capacity in the Kuranda Myola area as well as surrounding districts.