In an inflammatory statement, Opposition planning spokeswoman Nicole Lawder on Thursday said the government "knowingly" putting the lives of Canberrans, including babies, in danger while "covering up" the fire risks associated with external aluminium cladding at the women and children's hospital.

"This hospital was supposed to be the most advanced facility of its kind in Canberra but instead we have learned that it could be on the verge of a massive fire disaster at any time," Ms Lawder said.

Ms Fitzharris called on Ms Lawder on Friday to retract her statement.

"I expect there will be disagreements between us and the Opposition but I think what Ms Lawder and the Canberra Liberals have done today is possibly the most reckless and irresponsible statement I've seen them make," Ms Fitzharris said.

"I'm extremely disappointed given that yesterday we had assurances from ACT Fire and Rescue and the head of the ACT Health infrastructure division that the building is safe. It's a modern and safe building and for the Liberals to be spreading alarm like this is of enormous concern and I think they should contemplate retracting that statement because they've played politics too far here."

Ms Fitzharris said suggestions of a cover-up were "complete overreach" and the health directorate had responded "quickly, responsibly and methodically" once the panels were identified.

However, Ms Lawder stood firm on her statement.

"I stand by my comments because the facts remain. The ACT government was aware of the fire safety risks associated with external cladding in 2009. Nevertheless, the government approved the construction of the hospital using combustible cladding," Ms Lawder said.

"Only now - eight years after the fire risk was known and four years after construction of the hospital was completed - is the ACT government prepared to remove the cladding.

"I would remind the minister that there was a fire in the hospital only a few months ago because of government inaction. If the minister thinks she can intimidate me into silence she is mistaken."

It was revealed this week up to 10 per cent of the cladding panels installed on the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children were found to be a "credible fire risk", as they were installed over emergency exits and evacuation areas.

Those panels contain the same combustible core as those of the Grenfell Tower in London, where more than 80 people died in June.

However officials said the hospital was significantly safer than the Grenfell Tower as it had up-to-date internal containment measures and an extensive sprinkler system - which Grenfell Tower did not have - among fire safety measures.

It remains unclear why the panels were installed, given concerns about their combustibility existed prior to construction.

Ms Fitzharris said they would not wait for formal assessments against the building codes to remove the panels, but reiterated the building was "safe".