New figures showing the NSW Government made $2 million last year off fining children under 16 for offences like bad language and jaywalking has prompted a call from the Opposition for more compassion for youth.
Freedom of Information figures obtained by the Opposition revealed the State Government captured $87,000 alone for offensive language fines.
The youngest child to be issued a fine was an eight-year-old who used public transport without a valid ticket.
Labor spokesman Daniel Mookhey said that was unnecessary.
"No-one is suggesting that parents aren't responsible for their kids and no-one is suggesting that kids have the opportunity to disobey the law, of course not," he said.
"But the point is, it's up to police and it's up to authorities to sensibly enforce these laws."
The most common fines were for minors not having appropriate public transport tickets, smoking, driving, pedestrian and bike riding offences.
"We're talking about things like jaywalking where it's open to the authorities to show compassion," Mr Mookhey said.
"So my message to the Government is think again before you start plundering the pocket money of children."
A spokesman for Minister of Finance Victor Dominello said Revenue New South Wales withdrew penalty notices issued to any person under 10 years of age.
He said if the penalty was paid, the money was refunded.
Fines can be issued legally to children over the age of 10.
The spokesman said the overwhelming majority of young people respected the law and were never fined.
