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Sydney news: More than 10 million NSW Dine and Discover vouchers go unused as deadline passes

Millions of vouchers were left unspent as the deadline passed.  (ABC News: Tim Swanston)

Here's what you need to know this morning. 

Deadline expires for Dine and Discover vouchers

New figures reveal that more than 10 million Dine and Discover vouchers have gone unspent. 

Last year, the government issued 33 million vouchers to help local businesses stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program expired yesterday, with data from Service NSW showing that only 22 million of the vouchers were redeemed — 68 per cent of the total number issued.

That added up to more than $550 million spent on eating out and entertainment. 

Areas with the highest percentage of vouchers being redeemed included Blacktown, Canterbury-Bankstown and the Central Coast.

The state government said the program will not be extended.

Major disruption to trains likely as staff take industrial action 

Major disruption to train services is expected as staff press ahead with industrial action. (Twitter: @rx4kid)

Commuters across New South Wales are being warned to expect major disruptions to train services today, as the rail union pushes ahead with industrial action.

Transport for NSW has urged people to avoid non-essential travel.

A reduced service will operate on the T1 North Shore and Western, T2 Inner West and Leppington, T3 Bankstown, T4 Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra, the T8 Airport and South, and the T9 Northern Line.

Buses will be replacing trains on the T3 Bankstown line between Lidcombe and Bankstown, the T7 Olympic Park Line between Olympic Park and Lidcombe and on the T8 Airport and South Line between Campbelltown and Macarthur.

There will be no train services operating on the T5 Cumberland Line between Richmond and Leppington.

A weekend frequency will operate on the Blue Mountains and Central Coast and Newcastle lines.

On the South Coast Line, buses are replacing trains between Wollongong and Kiama and Wollongong and Port Kembla.

Labor says questions remain about Barilaro appointment

The Labor opposition says many questions about the appointment of John Barilaro remain unanswered. (AAP: James Gourley )

The NSW opposition has welcomed former deputy premier John Barilaro's decision to withdraw from his role as the state's trade commissioner to the US but said questions remained about the appointment.

"It's a decision for him to resign, but the bigger question is how he was appointed in the first place," said Penny Sharpe, leader of the opposition in the Upper House.

"New South Wales taxpayers and citizens want to know that the best people are getting these jobs, not people who've had an inside track."

Yesterday, Mr Barilaro announced that he would no longer be taking up the New York-based job that came with a salary package topping $500,000.

He said attention surrounding his appointment had become a distraction for the government.

Bail ruling for Guy Sebastian's former manager 

Titus Day will learn if his bail is to be revoked.  (AAP: Bianca De Marchi)

Singer Guy Sebastian's former manager Titus Day will discover today if his bail will be revoked after he was found guilty of embezzling money from his famous client.

A jury found Day guilty of 34 charges and acquitted him of another 13.

Guy Sebastian had told the District Court he was owed around $900,000.

Day denied the charges and claimed that his one-time client owed him money.

The prosecution has called for Day, 49, to be taken into custody until he is sentenced, saying he was likely to face a custodial sentence.

Crown Prosecutor David Morters SC said the crimes were serious and a breach of trust.

The judge will make a decision on bail this morning.

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