I have noticed that in this subreddit and other Australian subs, whenever the topic of immigration comes up, people go nuts. Generally, people here seem to be pretty left wing but become social conservatives when anything to do with immigration comes up. This is not the case in the American subs where people tend to recognise the social and economic benefits of immigration.

While I have to admit that people here strongly support Asylum Seekers, why not extend the same compassion to temporary workers and international students?

The economic benefits are obvious. Higher population results in higher consumer demand which leads to increased job creation in the long term. There is this persistent and irrational fear that somehow immigrants steal jobs from Australians but that is not quite true. Look at this graph for evidence. Unless temporary workers are being exploited, the wage suppression argument doesn't hold up either. And even if exploitation occurs, a better solution would be to go after the employers rather than the victims or the entire immigration policy.

There is also this stereotype that international students are these poor English speaking cheaters that either just want to work and get a visa here or are spoiled, rich kids who come here as a second choice. In my experience as a University student, international students are simply just not a monolith. You have both of those types of people but the majority are probably honest, hard-working students with somewhat thick accents, who value an Australian education. Besides, if they want to settle here then that's a good thing, right? - more smart, highly educated and ambitious new Australians.

With international students adding $30 billion every year to Australian education and research; with temporary workers filling skill shortages; with permanent migrants fueling job creation, economic growth and with the benefits associated with increased diversity - why not support immigration more or at least tone down the anti-immigration rhetoric?

Full disclosure, this immigrant would certainly be happier with a less hostile attitude towards immigration from you guys :)