OTTAWA - The Harper government has reintroduced legislation to scrap the so-called faint hope clause that allows murderers to obtain early parole.

The bill would ensure that anyone serving a life sentence for first degree murderer would not be eligible for parole for at least 25 years.

It's the second time the Tories have introduced what they call their "serious time for a serious crime" bill.

Their first attempt came to naught when Prime Minister Stephen Harper chose to prorogue Parliament late last year, killing all legislation still on the order paper.

This time, the bill is being introduced in the Senate, which Harper has blamed in the past for holding up his tough-on-crime agenda.

With a raft of recent Senate appointments, the Conservatives now effectively control the upper chamber which has been dominated by the Liberals for years.

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson is hopeful that reconfigured Senate will give speedy passage to the bill this time.

The Senate was not responsible for stalling the bill last year. It was passed by the House of Commons last November and had only been before the upper house for nine sitting days when Harper prorogued.

Nicholson said the bill will give "greater peace of mind" to the families of murder victims.

"Ending faint hope reviews will spare the families of murder victims the anguish of attending repeated early parole eligibility hearings and having to relive their losses over and over again," he told a news conference.

Moreover, he said the legislation will give Canadians greater confidence in the justice system.

"We agree with Canadians a life sentence is supposed to mean life, not early parole."