Between the controversy and unanswered questions surrounding the Northern Territory government’s handling of the resignation of former police commissioner John McRoberts, to the astounding sacking of Litchfield Council, 2015 has not started well for elected leaders in the Top End.

Closer to home, there have already been several examples this year which highlight genuine guidance and an understanding of what constituents want have been momentarily sidelined.

Section 35 of the Local Government Act specifies that the role of elected members of a council is to “represent the interests of all residents and ratepayers of the council area”.

That simple aim is unachievable when strong governance has been washed away by a tsunami of gargantuan egos, personal agendas, a lack of legislative comprehension and grandiose aspirations of political progression.

As an elected representative, it is not acceptable to throw your toys out of the cot and stomp your foot like a petulant child if a constituent opposes your perspective and asks you to justify a decision.

Transparency and accountability, not question marks, need to be the legacy of strong governments, irrespective of whether they are at a local, state or federal level.

Territorians will choose new NT and local governments in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

If those guilty of abandoning good governance and ignoring the voices of their constituents continue to do so, they may very well already be turning the pages of the final chapters of their political careers.