Scott Morrison is reported to have said when announcing the AUKUS deal “Let me be clear: Australia is not seeking to establish nuclear weapons or establish a civil nuclear capability.” He should change his mind.

If he is to have a credible path to a promise of carbon neutrality by 2050, it must include nuclear as the only reliable baseload power source which has zero emissions and can be slotted into the existing electricity network in time and to a reasonable budget.

He also needs a strong national economy to complement his defence effort, and you cannot build a strong economy on an...