A 13-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly stabbed a supermarket worker at Yamanto Shopping Centre. 

The offence is not included in the 'adult crime, adult time' policy, which has sparked community outrage.

Bond University criminologist Dr Terry Goldsworthy told Dean Miller on 4BC Summer Breakfast, "Its a huge blunder by the government... the fact that [attempted murder] wasn't included is a serious oversight."

"Many offenders, not just youth offenders, don't sit there and do a cost-benefit analysis as to whether the crime will be worth the time," Dr Goldsworthy continued.

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