Mr Brumby's security detail removed 84-year-old Russell Fox after he approached the Premier and branded the controversial north-south pipeline a disgrace.

Mr Fox was then separated from Mr Brumby although the pair later discussed the Government's water policy, with Mr Fox calling the Premier a "conman", saying there was no water in northern Victoria for the pipeline.

Earlier, NSW Premier Nathan Rees defended his state against criticism by Mr Brumby over water savings.

In Melbourne for a series of meetings, Mr Rees said all jurisdictions involved in the Murray-Darling Basin did their best to make the right decisions for Australia.

Mr Brumby accused the South Australian Government of increasing the cost of water for farmers because of its plan to buy water on the open market.

However, he also criticised NSW for saving only 10 gigalitres of water under the River Murray initiative, as opposed to Victoria's 120GL.

"With the greatest of respect to Premier Brumby, and I'm happy to have this discussion with him this afternoon, I think New South Wales has well and truly been punching above its weight on behalf of the Murray," Mr Rees told reporters in Melbourne.