The primary motivation for national betrayal (7)

I believe the answer is:

treason

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'national betrayal' is the definition.
'treason' can be an answer for 'betrayal' (synonyms). I am unsure of the 'national' bit.

'the primary motivation' is the wordplay.
'primary' suggests taking the first letters.
'motivation' becomes 'reason' (reason is a kind of motivation).
The initial letter of 'the' is 't'.
't'+'reason'='TREASON'

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for treason that I've seen before include "Serious crime" , "Lese-majesty" , "Betrayal of one's nation" , "Perfidy" , "rebellion" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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