# Election campaign 18 October 2026

> National pledges to remove right to silence in child murder cases.
- Title: Election campaign 18 October 2026 · RNZ | Shortify
- Summary: National pledges to remove right to silence in child murder cases. National plans to take away right to silence in child murder cases with a 10-year minimum…
- Keywords: national, child murder, right to silence, crimes act, 10 years, election 2026, winston peters, chris hipkins, chloe swarbrick, paul goldsmith, david seymour, politics
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1975478/election-2026-national-promises-removing-right-to-silence-in-child-murder-cases
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-18T05:40:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: national, child murder, right to silence, crimes act, 10 years, election 2026, winston peters, chris hipkins, chloe swarbrick, paul goldsmith, david seymour, politics
## Campaign updates
Politicians spread across motu making policy announcements as election day approaches.
## NZ First's rail trial
NZ First commits to 12-month commuter rail trial in Canterbury to connect Rolleston to Christchurch in 20 minutes.
## Labour's screens policy
Labour pledges $7m to get kids off screens through after-school activities and online safety support.
## Greens' voter concerns
Opposition parties raise concerns about voter suppression as youth enrolment drops to 65.5%.
## National's child murder policy
National would remove right to silence in child murder cases with 10-year minimum sentence for non-disclosure.

> Too many children in New Zealand die at the hands of, or with the knowledge of, people who should be protecting them. The right to silence should not be abused to the extent that these horrific crimes go unpunished
## ACT's doctor funding
ACT pledges $400 million to keep doctors in New Zealand and attract more from overseas.
## Key takeaway

National plans to take away right to silence in child murder cases with a 10-year minimum sentence for non-disclosure.