ETHOS

This month

New government Shaping the future

Sir Michael Bichard, Executive Director of The Institute for Government, considers the challenge facing the coalition in securing fiscal consolidation Read article

Recommended reading

First person Report from the frontline

David Wright is Head of the Materials and Components Research Laboratory in Risley, owned and run by Serco, where he and his team are busy extending the life of the UK's nuclear reactors

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Social exclusion Mind the gap

How can those on the fringes become part of society? Mark Easton, the BBC's Home Editor, looks at the risk that generational segregation poses to the fabric of our nation

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Economic priorities Taking tough decisions

Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith MP and James Purnell MP debate which public services and programmes government should prioritise during tough economic times

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Cyber security Security matters

Anthony McGee, Head of Resilience at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), considers governments' strategic response to the cyber security challenge currently facing nations

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Further features

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Photo essay

The cleaning team change bedding on board

The train passes through some of Australia's most contrasting landscapes

he three-day journey allows for plenty of relaxation time

In 1980 the line was diverted 100 miles west of the original route

The train can be over a kilometre in length

The Ghan is operated by Great Southern Rail, part of Serco

The Ghan at Katherine Station, south of Darwin

The Ghan carries 60,000 passengers each year

The train comprises two locomotives and around 40 carriages

The Ghan runs twice a week, covering 2,979km

The train travels at speeds of 85-110km per hour

The Ghan is the longest passenger train in Australia

For almost a century The Ghan has journeyed south to north across Australia, covering 2,000 miles on a three-day trip that takes in contrasting landscapes Read article