A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Neutral Bay on 2 June 1951 because of the resignation of Ivan Black (Liberal).[1] Black wanted to contest the federal seat of Warringah as the Liberal candidate at the 1951 Australian federal election. He understood that he had to resign from the state parliament at least 14 days prior to the close of nominations, which meant he needed to resign before the Liberal party selected its candidate.[2] He was defeated for pre-selection by Francis Bland,[3] who went on to comfortably win the seat.[4] Black was selected as the Liberal candidate to retain the state seat.[5]