 On 14 December 1871, Bundey was elected to the South Australian House of Assembly for Onkaparinga, and from July 1874 to March 1875 was minister for Justice and Education in the third Arthur Blyth ministry.He was responsible for the bill to establish the University of Adelaide.He did not seek re-election in 1875 because of his health, but entered parliament again in 1878 and was Attorney-General in the William Morgan ministry from September 1878 to March 1881.