Sir Edward John Bunting AC KBE (13 August 1918[1] – 2 May 1995) was an Australian public servant and diplomat, whose senior career appointments included Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

In 1937 he entered residence at Trinity College (University of Melbourne), where he played cricket and football, graduating in 1938 with a Bachelor of Arts (honours).

Back in Canberra, Bunting was appointed deputy secretary in the Prime Minister's Department and appointed as Secretary to that department in 1959, a position he continued to hold until 1968,[2] and served successive prime ministers Sir Robert Menzies, Harold Holt, and John McEwen.

[10][11][12] Bunting provided advice to incoming Prime Minister Gough Whitlam on the transition to government;[13] with Whitlam later opining of Bunting:[2] (His) loyalty, integrity, diligence and dedication have made him a leader and example among all public servants.Bunting was appointed to serve as High Commissioner in London, with effect from 1 February 1975.

[14] Suffering a heart attack whilst in Dundee in February 1976,[15][16] Bunting returned to Australia in 1977, unable to complete his full term as High Commissioner.